Episode Details

The tragic death of a guest on the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia has captured national attention and raised difficult questions. How could something like this happen? Who could be held responsible? What happens next? And how do you begin to put a dollar value on a human life?

On this episode of Sports ’N Torts, Joshua Stein welcomes back trial lawyer Alan Holcomb of TorHoerman Law for an in-depth conversation about the tragedy and the complicated legal issues that follow. The two also want to extend their sympathies and condolences to the family of Hassan Kariem.

Josh and Alan have both spent years representing plaintiffs and defending corporations in serious injury and wrongful death cases. Drawing on that experience, they take listeners behind the scenes of how a case like this might unfold—from the earliest investigation through potential settlement negotiations and trial.

They discuss the importance of preserving evidence, the roles of Six Flags and the ride's manufacturers, potential safety failures, government investigations, insurance coverage, arbitration clauses, and the legal significance of proposed safety changes. They also explore what claims may be available to the family and others affected by the incident.

But some of the most meaningful moments go beyond the legal questions.

Alan shares his experiences meeting with families who have suffered unimaginable losses, the responsibility lawyers have when handling these cases, and why listening matters more than making promises. Josh and Alan also examine Georgia's unique wrongful death law and one of the most difficult questions in the legal profession: How do you determine the full value of someone's life?

This is a conversation about accountability, the realities of complex litigation, and the human lives at the center of it all.

Josh and Alan are not involved in this case, and their discussion is based on publicly reported information available at the time of recording. The cause of the incident and any potential legal responsibility remain subject to investigation.

Our thoughts and condolences are with the family and everyone affected by this tragedy.

Show Notes

The Six Flags Tragedy: Who Is Responsible and What Is the Value of a Life?

Guest: Alan Holcomb | TorHoerman Law

• The Six Flags Goliath tragedy: What has been publicly reported about the fatal incident, the unanswered questions, and why the investigation will be critical to understanding what happened.
• Alan Holcomb's perspective: How his experience defending major corporations and representing plaintiffs in catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases shapes his approach to litigation.
• Representing grieving families: What it's like to meet families following an unimaginable tragedy, the importance of listening, and why good lawyers should never promise a particular outcome.
• The first steps in a major investigation: Preserving evidence, securing inspection and maintenance records, identifying witnesses, and assembling the right team of experts.
• Who could be responsible? Examining potential claims involving Six Flags, the roller coaster manufacturer, component manufacturers, inspectors, and other parties involved in operating and maintaining the ride.
• The role of engineering and expert witnesses: How accident reconstruction, biomechanics, ride engineering, and electronic data may help determine what went wrong.
• Prior complaints and notice: Why reports of earlier safety concerns, maintenance issues, and ride shutdowns could become important evidence.
• Safety changes after an accident: Six Flags' announcement concerning additional restraints and ho